The Miami Marlins are slowly trying to dig themselves out of the bottom of the National League East division. Sunday they got themselves back to .500 after defeating the San Diego Padres 6-3 behind Ricky Nolasco to complete the weekend series sweep.

With the victory, Nolasco has been the only Marlins pitcher to be very successful this season. Nolasco earned his fourth win of the season moving to 4-0 on the season. Nolasco struck out three batters. He also allowed only two runs in the ball game, lowering his ERA to 2.72.

This win is Nolasco’s 68th of his career which ties former Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis for first on the all-time Miami Marlins wins list. Nolasco’s performance this season so far has been the only bright spot in this newly revamped Marlins rotation that added former Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle and former Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano. So far this season, Buehrle has managed to rack up two wins in six starts while Zambrano does not have a win in five starts. Also, the Marlins got Josh Johnsonback and he has yet to pick up a win this season.

Nolasco is the third pitcher in the starting rotation but he is acting like the anchor but he is most certainly the glue that is holding the Marlins together. The other pitchers around him need to step up if they want to go anywhere this season or even be competitive in the division.

Right now, Nolasco is looking like a prime candidate for the NL Cy Young award.